Ice resurfacer

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled ice shaving machine suitable for use in skating rinks or the like includes a pair of power rotary cutters positioned immediately beyond the steerable front wheels of the vehicle. A suction blower removes ice chips and cuttings blown upwardly from the rotary cutter blades and conveys the cuttings and chips to a receptacle disposed above the vehicle chassis. The vehicle is powered by means of an internal combustion engine and means are provided to connect the engine in heat exchange relationship with the receptacle thereby to cause melting of the ice chips. The water derived from the melting of the ice is spread over the surface of the ice at the rear of the machine by means of a suitable water spreader connected to the vehicle chassis.

United States Patent McLeod 1 Dec. 12, 1972 [54] [CE RESURFACER [72]inventor: Starr R. McLeod 148 Broadway, Primary Examineramest PurserSydney Nova Scotia, Canada Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [22] Filed:Sept. 14, 1970 57 ABSTRACT PP 71,665 A self-propelled ice shavingmachine suitable for use in skating rinks or the like includes a pair ofpower ro- 30 F A u Pr m D tary cutters positioned immediately beyond thesteera- 1 pp cation 0 y ble front wheels of the vehicle. A suctionblower Sept. 26, 1969 Canada ..063222 rcmgves icc chips and cuttingsblown upwardly from the rotary cutter blades and conveys the cuttingsand [52] LS. CI. ..299/25, 37/12, 299/39 hip to a r ptacle disposedabove the vehicle chas- Illt. Cl. i5 The vehicle is powered means of aninternal [58] Field 0 Search ..299/24, 25, 39; 37/]2, i3 combustionengine and means are provided to cgnncct the engine in heat exchangerelationship with the [56] Refuenm cued receptacle thereby to causemelting of the ice chips. The water derived from the melting of the iceis UNITED STATES PATENTS spread over the surface of the ice at the rearof the 2,795,870 6/1957 Leduc .37/13 machine by means of a suitablewater spreader con- 2,l97,549 4/1940 i-largrave et al. .....299I25nected to the vehicle chassis. 3,591,236 7Il97l .lones....................299/24 2,763,939 9/1956 Zamboni ....299/24 X 8 Claims, 12 DrawingFigures PATEN'IED HEB 12 m2 SHEET 1 OF 7 PATENTED "EB 12 I972 SHEEI 2 BF7 PATENTEMH: 12 mn 3.705.746

sum 3 or 7 UUVUDUO PATENTEU 0H: 12 I972 PATENTEB HEB l 2 I972 SHEET 6 0F7 PATENTEHnEc 12 I972 3. 705. 746

sum 1 or 7 ICE RESURFACER This invention relates to improvements inmachines for smoothing and renewing the surface of the ice in a skatingrink after the same has been roughened by skaters.

As is well known, one of the major problems in connection with theoperation of a skating rink is the maintenance of a relatively smoothice surface. After the ice has been in use for a period of time, it isnecessary to resurface the ice by removing a relatively thin layer ofice thereby to eliminate shallow scratches and surface roughness causedby skate blades and to thereafter spread a thin film of water over thesurface of the ice to fill in any remaining cracks or depressions. Thisthin film of water freezes within a short time and skating maybethereafter resumed.

A number of years ago the above described resurfacing operation wascarried out manually. A number of attendants were sent out onto the icesurface with small scrapers and sweeping devices which they generallypushed ahead of them. After the surface of the ice had been scraped inthis manner, a thin film of water was spread over the ice to fill in thecracks and the low spots. However, this method possessed a large numberof disadvantages, as for example, the excessive length of time requiredto complete the operation, and the tendency for the thickness of the iceto increase gradually due to the addition of more water than was removedin the form of shaved ice; in addition, roughened surface portionsarising due to the freezing of coarse grained slush and the like which,from time to time was missed by the scrapers, lowered the overall icequality.

In an attempt to overcome the above problems, the prior art has provideda number of different devices. One well known ice rink resurfacingmachine includes a vehicle arranged for travel over the surface of theice with the vehicle including a frame which rests directly on the icesurface and is towed by the vehicle. A sharp edged blade is mounted onthe frame generally transverse to the direction of forward travel and isarranged to take a light shaving cut on the ice. A conveyor means drivenby the vehicle motor for clearing away the shaved ice from in front ofthe blade and depositing same in a suitable receptacle mounted on avehicle is provided. The vehicle also includes a water tank and aspreader for distributing a thin film of water over the surface of theice behind the blade so as to fill up deep scratches and cavitiesextending below the cutting edge of the blade.

Machines of the above general nature, although quite popular andreasonably successful, do possess a number of disadvantages. Firstly,the use of the transversely disposed blade arranged to take a shavingcut on the ice requires the use of a machine or vehicle capable ofproducing a substantial amount of tractive force or power. In order toprovide the required tractive force it is necessary that the machine beof relatively heavy weight and that relatively wide tires capable ofexerting a sufficient amount of tractive force be provided. Theserequirements tend to increase the cost of the machine somewhat. Inaddition, there is a tendency for the blade to chatter" when certain iceconditions are encountered and/or when the blade support mechanism isnot adjusted in exactly the right manner.

When blade chatter" occurs, wavy" or ridged ice is often the result.

In order to overcome the above disadvantages the present inventionprovides, in one aspect, a machine of the general character mentionedabove wherein the transversely disposed ice shaving blade is eliminatedand powered rotary cutters especially designed to impart a smooth finishto the ice surface are utilized. Blade chatter" is thus eliminated and arelatively smooth surface is imparted to the ice. In addition, theamount of tractive force required to move the rotary cutters over thesurface of the ice is markedly reduced thus permitting use of a lighterweight vehicle etc.

A further drawback to most, if not all, of the prior art machines underconsideration is that they position the cutting device at the rear ofthe vehicle, usually behind the rear wheels. With the cutting devicepositioned in this manner it is difficult, if not impossible, to getinto the "comers of the rink with the machine thereby to resurface thesame. As a result, a certain amount of manual labor is often required inorder to complete the resurfacing job.

In order to overcome or at least substantially reduce the abovementioned problem, the present invention provides, in a further aspect,for the powered cutters to be positioned adjacent the front end of thevehicle thereby ensuring easier operator visibility and ready access totight corners. In the embodiment in the invention to be described, thecutters are located immediately behind the front wheels of the vehicle,said front wheels being steerable.

In prior art machines of the type under consideration there is atendency, under certain circumstances, for the frame upon which the iceshaving blade is mounted to ride up on ice chips or the like resting onthe ice surface. When this happens, the ice shaving blade is, of course,lifted upwardly and may occasionally be lifted clear of the icealtogether with obvious results.

In order to eliminate the above problem the invention provides, in afurther aspect, for the cutter assembly to be mounted directly on themachine frame as opposed to having the cutter mounted on a frame whichrests on the ice surface. With the cutter assembly mounted on orsuspended from the vehicle frame the tendency for the cutter assembly tobe lifted upwardly when the machine is passing over ice chips or otherobstructions is markedly reduced.

Prior art ice resurfacing machines usually employ some means forflooding the ice to effect renewal of the ice surface. Water used forflooding the ice is carried in a reservoir mounted on the vehicle andpasses from there down to a suitable water spreading device locatedadjacent the rear of the machine.

The present invention, in a still further aspect, provides an iceresurfacing machine including means whereby the heat rejected from theresurfacing machine drive engine is utiiized to melt the ice removedfrom the surface by the rotary cutters. The water derived from themelted ice is returned to the ice surface via a suitable spreadingdevice; this arrangement eliminates the need for the vehicle to carry aseparate water reservoir and, furthermore, one is automatically assuredthat the amount of water being spread on the ice surface equals theamount of water being removed from the latter in the form of shaved icethereby substantially avoiding the problems associated with icebuild-up.

Further features of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing description of preferred embodiments of the invention whereinreference is had to the following drawings.

FIG. I is a side elevation view of an ice rink resurfacing machineemploying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan section view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan section view taken along line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the machine as seen from the lefthand side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the rotary cutter mountingsub-assembly;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rotating cutters per se;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are section views of the rotary cutter blades taken alonelines '77 and 8-8 respectively in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, partly in cross-section, of a differentform of rotary cutter arrangement suitable for use with the iceresurfacing machine of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the rotary cutter assembly shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a further variety of cutter blade;

FIG. 12 is an end elevation of two of the cutter blades of FIG. II;

Reference will be had firstly to the embodiment of the invention shownin FIGS. 1 through 8. In this form of the invention the resurfacingmachine is seen as including a chassis 10 including laterally spacedlongitudinally extending frame members 12 with transversely extendingfore and aft frame members 14 and 16 respectively extending therebetweenand rigidly connected thereto. Mounted on the chassis 10 by means oftransversely extending support members 18 is an internal combustionengine 20. This internal combustion engine 20 is connected throughcustomary clutch means, gear box means, drive shaft means etc. to adifferential mechanism located in the rear axle housing 24 thereby todrive the rear wheels 26 of the vehicle in a manner well known in theart. The front wheels 28 of the vehicle are steerable by means ofsteering linkages 30 and controlled from a steering wheel 32 connectedto a steering column 34. The steering wheel 32 is mounted just forwardlyof an operators seat 36 which is mounted on the rear of the vehiclechassis in any suitable manner. Suitable driving controls (not shown)are provided, whereby the operator can start and stop the engine, shiftthe gears, apply the brakes and clutch etc.

Mounted on and extending vertically upwardly from frame 10 are fourposts 38 which support a large closed-top-receptacle 40 above thechassis of the machine. The receptacle 40 is conveniently of a sheetmetal welded construction, reinforced as required to provide thenecessary structural stability and includes top wall 42, floor 44 andend and side walls 46. The bottom or floor 44 of receptacle 40 is of aspecial construction and a plan section view taken through same in ahorizontal plane is shown in FIG. 3. It will be seen from FIG. 1 thatfloor 44 comprises two layers 48 and 50 spaced apart and having aplurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced baffles 52(best seen in FIG. 3) extending therebetween. The purpose and functionof this specialized construction for floor 44 will become more apparenthereinafter.

Rigidly connected to chassis l0 and disposed immediately rearwardly ofthe front wheels 28 is the ice cutter sub-assembly 54. Subassembly 54includes a spaced pair of rotatable cutter blades 56 which are mountedfor rotation about spaced parallel axes which lie in the same horizontalplane at a distance above the surface of the ice determined by thedimensions of the blades themselves.

Each cutting blade 56 is made up from an elongated strip of steel ofsufficient strength and thickness as to provide a blade sufficientlyrigid as to resist any tendency towards bending and/or vibration duringoperation of the machine. Each blade 56 has a gradual helical returntwist of from the ends of the blade to the center of its length; thatis, a first one of the blades gradually twists about its longitudinalaxis in the righthand direction from one of its ends until a pointmidway along the length of the blade is reached, at which point theangle of twist is 90. The blade then gradually twists in the opposite(left-hand) direction until the other end of the blade is reached. Theremaining blade 56 is exactly the same as the one described above exceptthat it first gradually twists about its longitudinal axis in theleft-hand direction by an angle of 90 until a point midway along itslength is reached and then the blade gradually twists in the opposite(right-hand) direction until the other end is reached. The relationshipmaintained between the two blades will be apparent from a study of FIGS.6 through 8. It will be apparant from the transverse cross-sectionalviews of FIGS. 7 and 8 that the width dimensions of the two blades arealways at approximately right angles to one another; this is trueregardless of the point along the length of the blade at which thecross-section is taken. The above mentioned relationship between the twoblades 56 is maintained at all times due to the fact that the two bladesare driven in unison in opposite directions by means of interrneshinggears 57 (FIG. I) each associated with a respective one of the blades.

From FIGS. 7 and 8 it will be seen that the blades 56 have theiropposing edges bevelled thereby to present sloping faces 58 which facein the direction of rotation of the blade. Adjacent the diagonallyopposed outermost extremities of each blade are detachably mountedelongated cutting edges 60. The cutting edges 60 are made from asuitably hardened steel so that they will maintain a sharp cutting edgeeven after long use. The cutting edges 60 are secured to blades 56 bymeans of bolts 62 thereby permitting the cutting edges to be readilyremoved for sharpening and/or replacement. It will be appreciated fromthe drawings that all points along the cutting edges 60 aresubstant-ially equidistant from the rotation axis of the blade.

Blades 56 are journalled at opposing ends by means of a spaced pair ofbearing support plates 64 each associated with the respective one of thelaterally spaced chassis members 12. Each of the support plates 64 isconnected to chassis member 12 in a manner as to permit verticaladjustment of cutter blades 56 thereby to regulate the depth of cut.This is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein it will be seen that each bearingsupport plate is connected to the chassis member 12 by means of a spacedpair of screw fasteners 65 and 66. Fastener member 66 extends through anelongated slotted opening 67 in bearing plate 64 thereby permitting thelatter to be pivoted by a relatively small angular amount with respectto chassis member 12. This permits initial adjustments to be made in thedepth of cut.

In order to effect rotation of cutter blades 56, the rearmost cutterblade 56 is provided with an extended journal shaft upon which ismounted a V-pulley 70 which is driven via V-belts 71 from a furtherV-pulley 72 mounted on a drive shaft 74, the latter being suitablyjournalled on the machine chassis. The drive shaft 74 is drivinglyconnected to internal combustion engine 20 via suitable bevel gears 76contained within gear box 78 disposed adjacent the front of engine 20.

When the cutters 56 are driven at high speed in opposite directions asindicated by the arrow A in FIG. 1, the ice shavings or chips are thrownupwardly from the region intermediate the cutters in the direction shownby arrows B also in FIG. 1. Because of the specialized configuration ofthe cutters 56, the ice chips are brought inwardly from the ends of thecutter blades 56 towards the region above and midway along the lengthsof the cutters. This makes it relatively easy to collect the ice chipsand to pass them upwardly into the closed receptacle 40 mounted abovethe chassis of the machine. Another advantage resulting from aspecialized shape of the cutter blade 56 is that only a fractionalportion (say -15 percent) of the total length of the cutting edge ofeach blade is engaged with the ice at any one instant of time duringrotation of the blades. As a result, any tendency for the blades to"chatter and produce wavy or ridged ice is substantially eliminated.

In order to take the ice chips which are thrown upwardly during rotationof blades 56 and pass them into closed receptacle 40, there is provideda suction blower assembly 80 which is powered from drive engine 20. Thisarrangement includes a suction fan 82 which is mounted on spacedlongitudinally extending support members 84 suitably welded to thetransversely extending frame members 14 and 18. The impeller of suctionblower 82 is driven via a shaft 86 upon which is mounted a pulley 87.Pulley 87 is driven from pulley 88 mounted on previously mentioned driveshaft 74 via a suitable V-belt 89. If desired, a suitable clutcharrangement (not shown) may be interposed between drive shaft 74 andpulley 88 and actuated by the operator by means of suitable linkage 90thereby to permit the suction blower 82 to be disconnected or connectedin driving relation with engine as desired.

In order to prevent ice chips from being scattered due to rotation ofblades 56, a generally inverted U- shaped cross-section collecting hood92 is disposed thereabove and extends the full length of blades 56. Atits mid-portion, the collecting hood 92 is provided with a transitionsection 94 which leads gradually upwardly into the intake of suctionblower 82. The trailing edge 96 of collecting hood 92 extends downwardlytowards the surface of the ice and its lowermost edge is provided with aflexible lip 98 which engages the surface of the ice thus picking up anysmall chips which may have been thrown off the rotating cutter blades56.

The outlet of the suction blower 82 is connected to a conduit 100 whichleads upwardly through the floor 44 of the receptacle 40 thereby topermit the ice chips to pass into the interior of the latter. When themachine is in operation and the suction blower 82 is being driven at therequired rate of speed by drive engine 20, the ice chips thrown upwardlyby cutter blades 56 pass into the intake of the suction blower andthence outwardly through its outlet, thence upwardly through conduit 100and into the interior of receptacle 40 in a direction shown by thearrows C in FIG. 1.

As mentioned previously means are provided for melting the ice chipswhich are blown upwardly into the receptacle 40. Referring to FIGS. 1and 3 it will be noted that the engine coolant is permitted to circulatebetween the previously mentioned layers 48 and 50 of the floor ofreceptacle 40. From FIG. 1 it will be seen that the water pump 102 ofengine 20 has its outlet connected via hose 104 and thermostatic valve106 to the region intermediate the two layers 48 and 50 of the floor ofreceptacle 40. Thermostatic valve 106 is secured to the floor ofreceptacle 40 adjacent the front end of the latter. Secured to the floorof receptacle 40 adjacent the rear of the latter is a connection piece108 which is connected to elongated return conduit 110 which extendsdownwardly for connection to the cold water return inlet to engine 20.During the operation of engine 20, the water pump 102 forces hot waterfrom the engine upwardly through conduit 104 into the regionintermediate the two layers 48 and 50 of the floor of receptacle 40. Byvirtue of the staggered arrangement of the spaced baffles 52 interposedbetween layers 48 and 50, the engine cooling liquid is forced to take atortuous path back and forth across the width of the floor of thereceptacle as it moves from the front of the latter to the rear. Thepath of the engine cooling liquid as it travels from the hot water inlet106' to the hot water outlet 108 is shown by the arrows D in FIG. 3.

The heat supplied by the engine cooling liquid to the floor ofreceptacle 40 is used to melt the ice chips blown into the interior ofthe latter so that a constant supply of water arising due to the meltingof such ice chips is obtained. This water is used to flood the ice afterthe cutters have passed thereover thereby to till up any remaining deepscratches in the ice surface. In order to apply this water to the icesurface a conventional water spreader arrangement 112 is mounted on therear end of the machine and is connected via a conduit 114 to theinterior of receptacle 40 so that the water derived from the melting ofthe ice chips may be supplied to the spreader. A valve 116 connected inconduit 114 may be used to regulate the flow of water to the spreader.The spreader 112 itself is of a structure which is per se well known inthe art and includes an elongated length of a fabric 116 which isconnected at its opposed longitudinal edges to a suitable support frame118 whereby the fabric hangs downwardly therefrom thereby forming agenerally U-shaped trough. An elongated pipe 120 extending transverselyof the machine and disposed within the trough defined by the fabric 116is connected to conduit 114 to receive water therefrom. A series ofholes are provided along the length of pipe 120 so that the water issprinkled into the interior of the trough defined by fabric 116 and isthereafter spread upon the ice surface as the l060l0 (H56 machine movesforwardly. Suitable means (not shown) may be provided to effect raisingand lowering of the water spreading device 112 as required.

In connection with the system described for melting the ice chips andreturning the water derived thereby to the ice surface, it should bementioned that auxiliary burners (not shown) may be utilized to applyadditional heat to the floor of receptacle 40 to assist in melting theice. It is also desirable that the engine be provided with an electricalblock heater so that engine 20 is enabled to produce an excess of heatenergy which may be utilized in the melting of the ice chips shortlyafter start-up.

The foregoing description makes reference to all of the basic featuresof the ice resurfacing machine. However, there are an additional numberof important elements which facilitate operation of the device. It willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is desirable to havesome means whereby the cutters 56 may be readily lifted well clear ofthe surface of the ice as, for example, when the machine is being drivenoff the ice surface into its place of storage. ln accordance with onefeature of the device, there is seen in FIG. 4, a spaced pair ofhydraulic jacks 126 interposed between the front axle 128 of the machineand the transversely extending fore or frontal frame member 14.Hydraulic jacks 126 are connected to a hydraulic pump and suitablecontrol means (not shown). Actuation of hydraulic jacks 126 causes thefront end of the ice resurfacing machine together with cutter blades 56to be raised by several inches thereby to permit the cutter blades toclear any obstructions which might cause damage to same.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 it will be seen that there is alsoprovided a spaced pair of level adjusting screws 130 which areinterposed between frame member 14 and front axle 128. When thehydraulic jacks 126 are in their lowered position, the screw adjustingassemblies 130 bear the full weight of the machine. Each screw assembly130 comprises a casing 132 secured to the front axle 128. Rotatablymounted in frame member 14 are downwardly extending screws 134 whicheffect engagement with floating bushings 136 disposed within the casings132. When the hydraulic jacks 126 are actuated, the screws 134 togetherwith floating bushings 136 are lifted upwardly along with frame member14. However, when the hydraulic jacks 126 are lowered downwardly, thefloating bushing 136 comes into engagement with a projection formed onthe interior of the cylinder 132 thereby to support the front end of theframe of the vehicle at the desired elevation. Adjustment of theelevation of the front end of the machine may be had by rotating screws134 by means of hand cranks 138 suitably connected thereto. By means ofthe hand operated screw adjusting assemblies described above, fineadjustments in the depth of cut of cutter blades 56 may be effected. Itshould also be mentioned here that in order to stabilize the front axlewhen using the arrangement described above, front axle stabilizers 140must be used, each having one end securely fastened to the front axle138 and their opposite ends pivotally connected to the traverselyextending member 14.

Although the preferred form for the ice cutting blades 56 is the helicalreturn twist variety described JIM above, another variety of rotatablecutter is suitable for use with the apparatus described above providedmodifications are made to the chassis of the machine to provide supportfor the modified cutter. A modified cutter arrangement is shown in FIGS.9 and 10. This form of cutter may be termed a radial end mill cutter andincludes a relatively large disc having a diameter equal to or exceedingslightly the width of the machine described above and journalled forrotation about a vertical axis. The bottom view of the cutter shown inFIG. 10 illustrates the form of the individual cutters 152. The cutters152 comprise a series of spaced strips of hard steel welded or otherwisesuitably secured to the bottom face of disc 150 with each such stripspiralling inwardly from the outer-most periphery of disc 150 to pointsrelatively closely spaced about its center. The radial end mill cutteris driven by the drive engine in the direction indicated by the arrow Bin FIG. 10. As the end mill cutter is rotated with cutters 152 incontact with the ice surface, the ice chips or shavings are sweptinwardly, as a result of the action of the spiral shaped cutters,towards the center of disc 150. The central portion of disc 150 isconnected to a hollow tube 154 which passes vertically upwardly throughbushing assembly 156 and terminates adjacent the intake of a suctionblower arrangement 158. Disc 150 contains a suitably sized aperture inits central portion thereby to permit the ice chips that have been sweptinwardly towards its center to be drawn upwardly through the tube 154through the suction blower 158 and outwardly therefrom into a suitablereceptacle such as was previously described.

To effect rotation of disc 150 and its attached cutters 152, a suitablysized pulley 160 is secured to the upper end of tube 154 to permit thesame to be rotated by the resurfacing machine drive engine. Downwardmovement of tube 154 relative to its support bushing 156 is prevented bymeans of a large lock nut 162 secured on tube 154 with any downwardlydirected end thrust being taken up by bearing 164.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a still further form of cutter blade arrangement.Here. each cutter comprises an elongated hollow box 172 of square crosssection having an elongated blade 174 attached adjacent each of its fourlongitudinal edges. Each blade 174 has a sharpened cutting edge 176leading in the direction of rotation of each cutter as shown by thecurved arrows, cutting eges 176 being substantially equidistant from therotation axis of the cutter along their lengths. The cutters areotherwise mounted for rotation about their longitudinal axes in exactlythe same manner and occupy the same positions as described previously inconnection with the helical return twist blades. Two cutters 170 areused in side by side parallel relation and their preferred angularrelationship is shown in FIG. 12 whereby to reduce blade "chatter to aminimum.

A preferred embodiment of the invention together with a modificationthereof have been described. Other variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Certain of the above described features can be usedalone on an ice resurfacing machine; alternatively suitable combinationsof same may be employed. Various modifications may be made to the drivecouplings between the internal combustion engine 20 and the cutters 56.For example. a fluid type coupling could be utilized whereby the cutters56 would automatically cease to rotate when the engine is at idlingspeed and then automatically comes up to speed upon acceleration of theengine. Those skilled in the art will also realize that applicantscutter blade arrangement and ice chip removal system could be employedwith a simple box type receptacle which does not employ means formelting the ice chips. In this case, of course, some means such as adoor or the like, would be provided in the receptacle to permit the icechips to be removed. In addition, a separate water reservoir would haveto be provided to supply water to the spreader which is mounted adjacentthe rear end of the machine.

lclaim:

1. An ice rink resurfacing machine comprising a vehicle having wheelsmounted thereon, an internal combustion drive engine, at least one ofsaid wheels drivingly connected to said engine to effect movement of themachine over the ice surface, and certain other of said wheels beingsteerable to effect directional control of the machine, ice cuttingmeans connected to said vehicle for removing a thin layer of ice fromthe rink surface, a receptacle carried by said vehicle and means forconveying the ice removed by the ice cutter to said receptacle, meansconnecting said drive engine in heat exchange relation with saidreceptacle whereby heat produced by said engine effects melting of saidremoved ice, and water spreader means connected to said receptacle toreceive water therefrom derived from the melting of said ice allarranged to apply a film of water to the ice surface after said icecutting means has passed thereover.

2. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said engine employs a liquidcooling system, and wherein the means connecting the engine in heatexchange relationship includes means for conveying heated liquid fromsaid engine to said receptacle to effect melting of the ice therein, andmeans to return such liquid to said engine from said receptacle.

3. The machine according to claim 2 wherein the means connecting theengine in heat exchange relation further comprises means in saidreceptacle to cause said engine cooling liquid to follow a tortuous pathwhile in contact with said receptacle prior to returning to said engine.

4. An ice rink resurfacing machine comprising a vehicle having wheelsmounted thereon, an internal combustion drive engine employing a liquidcooling system, at least one of said wheels drivingly connected to saidengine to effect movement of the machine over the ice surface, andcertain other of said wheels being steerable to effect directionalcontrol of the machine, ice cutting means connected to said vehicle forremoving a thin layer of ice from the rink surface,a receptacle carriedby said vehicle and means for conveying the ice removed by the icecutter to said receptacle, means connecting said drive engine in heatexchange relation with said receptacle including means for conveyingheated liquid from said engine to said receptacle to effect melting ofthe ice therein, there being provided a means in a floor portion of saidreceptacle to cause the engine cooling liquid to follow a tortuous pathwhile in contact with said receptacle prior to returning to said engine,and a water spreader means connected to said rece tacl to re eive waterther from d rive fro t e melting of said ice and arranged to apply a 81mf the water to the ice surface after said ice cutting means have passedthereover.

5. The machine according to claim 4 wherein said floor portion of thereceptacle comprises two layers, with the means connecting the engineand receptacle in heat exchange relation including inlet and outletmeans for supplying hot and removing cooled liquid respectively from theregion intermediate the two layers of the receptacle floor portion, andthe means for causing the liquid to move in a tortuous path comprisesbaffle means interposed between the two layers of said floor portion.

6. An ice rink resurfacing machine comprising a chassis having wheelsmounted thereon, a drive engine, at least one of said wheels beingdrivingly connected to said engine to effect movement of the machineover the ice surface, certain of the wheels being steerable to effectdirectional control of the machine, ice cutting means connected to saidvehicle for removing a thin layer of ice from the rink surface, areceptacle carried by said chassis and means for conveying ice chipsfrom the region of the cutting means to said receptacle, a pair of saidcutting means being provided in spaced parallel relation, each said icecutting means including a plurality of spaced cutting edges mounted forrotation about a rotation axis, all points along said cutting edgesbeing substantially equidistant from their respective rotation axes, anddrive means connected to said engine for rotating the cutting meansrapidly about said rotation axes whereby said cutting edges remove saidlayer of ice from said ice surface, the axes of rotation of the icecutting means being generally horizontally disposed and arrangedgenerally laterally of the direction of forward travel of the machine.

7. The machine according to claim 6 wherein the drive means are arrangedto rotate said cutting means in opposite directions.

8. The machine according to claim '7 wherein the drive means rotate thecutters such that the chips are thrown upwardly from the regionintermediate the cutters, and a hood arranged over said cutting means tocatch ice chips thrown upwardly therefrom, and means for creating an airflow sufficient to convey said chips from said hood to said receptacle.

I i l i

1. An ice rink resurfacing machine comprising a vehicle having wheelsmounted thereon, an internal combustion drive engine, at least one ofsaid wheels drivingly connected to said engine to effect movement of themachine over the ice surface, and certain other of said wheels beingsteerable to effect directional control of the machine, ice cuttingmeans connected to said vehicle for removing a thin layer of ice fromthe rink surface, a receptacle carried by said vehicle and means forconveying the ice removed by the ice cutter to said receptacle, meansconnecting said drive engine in heat exchange relation with saidreceptacle whereby heat produced by said engine effects melting of saidremoved ice, and water spreader means connected to said receptacle toreceive water therefrom derived from the melting of said ice allarranged to apply a film of water to the ice surface after said icecutting means has passed thereover.
 2. The machine according to claim 1wherein said engine employs a liquid cooling system, and wherein themeans connecting the engine in heat exchange relationship includes meansfor conveying heated liquid from said engine to said receptacle toeffect melting of the ice therein, and means to return such liquid tosaid engine from said receptacle.
 3. The machine according to claim 2wherein the means connecting the engine in heat exchange relationfurther comprises means in said receptacle to cause said engine coolingliquid to follow a tortuous path while in contact with said receptacleprior to returning to said engine.
 4. An ice rink resurfacing machinecomprising a vehicle having wheels mounted thereon, an internalcombustion drive engine employing a liquid cooling system, at least oneof said wheels drivingly connected to said engine to effect movement ofthe machine over the ice surface, and certain other of said wheels beingsteerable to effect directional control of the machine, ice cuttingmeans connected to said vehicle for removing a thin layer of ice fromthe rink surface,a receptacle carried by said vehicle and means forconveying the ice removed by the ice cutter to said receptacle, meansconnecting said drive engine in heat exchange relation with saidreceptacle including means for conveying heated liquid from said engineto said receptacle to effect melting of the ice therein, there beingprovided a means in a floor portion of said receptacle to cause theengine cooling liquid to follow a tortuous path while in contact withsaid receptacle prior to returning to said engine, and a water spreadermeans connected to said receptacle to receive water therefrom derivedfrom the melting of said ice and arranged to apply a film of the waterto the ice surface after said ice cutting means have passed thereover.5. The machine according to claim 4 wherein said floor portion of thereceptacle comprises two layers, with the means connecting the engineand receptacle in heat exchange relation including inlet and outletmeans for supplying hot and removing cooled liquid respectively from theregion intermediate the two layers of the receptacle floor portion, andthe means for causing the liquid to move in a tortuous path comprisesbaffle means interposed between the two layers of said floor portion. 6.An ice rink resurfacing machine comprising a chassis having wheelsmounted thereon, a drive engine, at least one of said wheels beingdrivingly connected to said engine to effect movement of the machineover the ice surface, certain of the wheels being steerable to effectdirectional control of the machine, ice cutting means connected to saidvehicle for removing a thin layer of ice from the rink surface, areceptacle carried by said chassis and means for conveying ice chipsfrom the region of the cutting means to said receptacle, a pair of saidcutting means being provided in spaced parallel relation, each said icecutting means including a plurality of spaced cutting edges mounted forrotation about a rotation axis, all points along said cutting edgesbeing substantially equidistant from their respective rotation axes, anddrive means connected to said engine for rotating the cutting meansrapidly about said rotation axes whereby said cutting edges remove saidlayer of ice from said ice surface, the axes of rotation of the icecutting means being generally horizontally disposed and arrangedgenerally laterally of the direction of forward travel of the machine.7. The machine according to claim 6 wherein the drive means are arrangedto rotate said cutting means in opposite directions.
 8. The machineaccording to claim 7 wherein the drive means rotate the cutters suchthat the chips are thrown upwardly from the region intermediate thecutters, and a hood arranged over said cutting means to catch ice chipsthrown upwardly therefrom, and means for creating an air flow sufficientto convey said chips from said hood to said receptacle.